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The Blue Water River Guard training program, an innovative module under the Blue Water Initiative, was launched by the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. It will give 2,000 Ghanaian youth the skills and knowledge they need to effectively protect Ghana’s river bodies.
400 young Ghanaian men and women will participate in the project’s initial phase, where they will receive intense training from the Ghana Navy Riverine Command under the Minerals Commission’s sponsorship. They will have the know-how to stop illicit mining activities on riverbeds thanks to this training.
On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, gave a speech during the initiative’s launch in Ezinlibo, Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region. He underlined how crucial the Blue Water project is to the battle against illicit mining.
The trainees were exhorted by Armah-Kofi Buah to understand the seriousness of their duty.
“The protection of our river bodies is being entrusted to you.
You cannot afford to be complacent or irresponsible in the discharge of your duties,” he said. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Ghana’s rivers, he emphasized, as they are essential to the country’s life and progress.
Assuring that depleted rivers return to their original form while protecting unaffected ones, he promised that the government will take all necessary steps to conserve these resources.
“Our rivers are more than just bodies of water; they are the lifelines of our communities.
They provide drinking water, support agriculture, sustain fisheries, drive tourism, and facilitate transportation. Yet, the selfish actions of illegal miners are robbing us of these vital resources.
The Blue Water Initiative is our response a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices,” he added.
He went on to describe the Blue Water Guards’ duties and urged them to carry them out fairly and firmly.
“You will be responsible for monitoring the health of our rivers, identifying areas of concern, and reporting any illegal activities for timely interventions.
You are expected to prevent pollution in our rivers and enforce laws and regulations related to river use, with the support of law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Armah-Kofi Buah also called for a collective effort to address the menace of illegal mining.
“The success of the Blue Water Guards hinges on the support of every Ghanaian. This is not just a government initiative; it is a national call to action. We must all play our part in protecting our water resources. Today’s launch is only the first step.In the coming weeks, the Ministry is committed to recruiting 2,000 River Guards across mining communities nationwide,” Mr Buah added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
